that this impulse possesses them?"

In reply to this question, Anchises entered into a long explanation, the
substance of which was that all the spirits of the departed had to endure
in the regions below a process of expiation for their earthly sins, longer
or shorter according to the nature of their transgressions. Those that
were not consigned to the pains of Tartarus entered the Elysian Fields,
where, after they had remained a thousand years, they were summoned to
drink of the waters of Lethe, and thus lose all recollection of their
former lives; after which, being purified from all stain, they were fitted
to return to the upper world and inhabit new bodies. Anchises added that
he would show to his son the forms of his own descendants in the Italian
kingdom he was destined to establish, and would trace for him their
achievements. Leading AEneas and the Sibyl onto a rising ground, in the
midst of the souls which were crowding about the magic stream of Lethe, he
pointed out to him a long array of future kings of Latium,--Silvius, who
was to be the son of AEneas's old age by his consort Lavinia; Procas,
Capys, and Numitor, destined to be monarchs of Alba Longa; and Romulus,
the future founder of the great city of Rome, which would extend over
seven hills, and would spread her dominion over the whole earth. Not far
from these were the souls of Romulus's successors in the' early days of
Rome,--Numa Pompilius, who first would give his country laws, and
encourage the arts of peace; Tullus Hostilius, who would wage victorious
wars, and extend the territories of Rome; Ancus Martius, not less
successful in the field; and Tarquin, destined to lose the throne through
his oppressive reign. Anchises proceeded to indicate to his wondering son
many of the patriots and generals who in future years were to contribute
to the glory and power of the Roman State,--more especially the great
Julius Caesar, the lineal descendant of AEneas himself; and Augustus, who
would once more establish the golden age in Latium, and whose empire would
extend to countries as yet unknown. The venerable shade concluded his
forecast of the future with a splendid description of the part which Rome
was destined to play in the world's history:--

"Let others better mould the running mass
Of metals, and inform the breathing brass,
And soften into flesh a marble face;
Plead better at the bar; describes the skies,
And when the stars descend, and when t